ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Mike O'Donnell, one of the best players in school history, has been named UCF's director of men's basketball operations, head coach Donnie Jones announced Monday. O'Donnell starred for the Knights from 2005-08.

In his new role, O'Donnell will organize team travel, manage the program's budget, help monitor the Knights' academic progress, coordinate the team's community service initiatives and direct the program's summer camps.

After concluding his collegiate career, O'Donnell spent three years at UCF with the Golden Knights Club, helping coordinate UCF Athletics' fundraising efforts.

"I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to remain at UCF and continue to contribute to the success of UCF Athletics," O'Donnell said. "I was very fortunate to work with a great staff within the Golden Knights Club, and also enjoyed interacting with UCF's great supporters on a daily basis. I am excited to work with and learn from coach Jones and the entire coaching staff. Having the chance to start my coaching career at UCF is truly a blessing."

A native of Largo, Fla., O'Donnell has also worked as a color analyst on UCF basketball radio broadcasts on the UCF-IMG Sports Network and during telecasts on Bright House Sports Network since graduating in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in interpersonal organizational communications. He earned his master's degree in 2010 from UCF in sports and fitness.

"Mike has a great knowledge of the game, and we are very excited about him joining our staff," Jones said. "He is well respected at UCF because of the type of student-athlete he was. And he has continued to contribute to this university through his work for the Golden Knights Club. Mike wants to be a coach, and has such good relationships with everyone at UCF and in the community."

During his time at UCF, O'Donnell started 89-consecutive contests at point guard. He totaled 195 career triples, good for third in program history. As a senior in 2007-08, he averaged a career-high 11.9 points in 34.3 minutes a game. For his career, he averaged 10.2 points per contest.

O'Donnell ranks sixth in school history with 394 career assists, and is ninth all-time with 140 steals.